At a news conference in Las Vegas prior to the NBA Cup final, NBA commissioner Adam Silver discussed the league's approach to betting-related investigations, emphasizing that competitive integrity remains crucial to its long-term credibility, according to The Associated Press.
Key Takeaways
- The NBA views betting-related investigations involving active and former personnel as a serious threat to its integrity.
- Terry Rozier remains on unpaid leave while facing federal charges, with his contract still counting against the Miami Heat's salary cap.
- The league is exploring whether Miami may receive limited relief due to Rozier's unavailability, though no precedent exists.
Silver's comments follow the October arrests of Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, and others in connection with federal betting investigations. Silver emphasized the NBA risks long-term damage if the audience loses confidence in the honesty of the competition.
"I mean it when I say, if this game isn’t viewed as being honest and the competition being on the level and at the highest integrity, over time we will lose our fan base. I have no doubt about that, he said. "And so, I take it incredibly seriously."
The commissioner said the league does not have a timeline for when the legal processes surrounding Rozier and others may conclude. He described the situation as unprecedented, particularly given the roster and salary cap implications for the Miami Heat.
Rozier's $26.6-million salary represents roughly 17% of the Heat's cap space, and his absence complicates a trade obligation that requires Miami to send a first-round pick to Charlotte in either 2027 or 2028.
The 31-year-old pleaded not guilty earlier this month to wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges. Prosecutors allege he shared advance information about leaving a March 2023 game early due to an injury, enabling bettors to profit from wagers tied to his individual statistics.
Rozier exited that game after just over nine minutes and did not play again before being traded to Miami. While he is not being paid, his salary is being held in an interest-bearing account pending the outcome of the case or another resolution.
Federal prosecutors have also raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest after learning Rozier is paying the legal fees for one of his codefendants, Deniro Laster, according to The Athletic. The court has been asked to consider whether that arrangement could negatively affect Laster's legal representation.
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NCAA betting enforcement highlights similar integrity risks
While the NBA manages the fallout from the Rozier case, college basketball has faced its own high-profile betting scandals. In November, the NCAA ruled former Temple guard Hysier Miller was ineligible after determining he had placed 42 bets totaling $473 on parlays involving 23 Temple games over two seasons.
Miller, a full-time starter during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, used sportsbook accounts registered to other individuals to place the wagers. During an October interview with NCAA enforcement staff, he admitted to betting on Temple games but said he could not recall the full scope of his activity.
His attorney said investigators found no evidence of point-shaving and confirmed Miller cooperated throughout the process.
The case coincided with separate violations involving former Temple staff members Camren Wynter and Jaylen Bond, who wagered on professional and college sports but not on Temple games. Both received one-year show-cause penalties and suspensions covering 10% of regular-season contests in future coaching roles.
The NCAA noted the matters were unrelated, but together they reflect heightened scrutiny on betting activity as leagues and governing bodies seek to protect competitive integrity.
